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Iran

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Iran. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tehran

Head of State

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Head of Government

President Masoud Pezeshkian

South Korea

South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire

A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.

35 minutes agovideocam

SCMP Highlights

Filipino contestant’s viral swimsuit moment, UAE’s Opec exit: 7 Asia highlights

34 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

US’ Bessent urges China to help open Strait of Hormuz

5 hours ago

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Iran war could give Xi the upper hand in meeting with Trump: US experts

The conflict is likely to give Beijing an edge in discussions on hi-tech supply chains and Taiwan, analysts argue.

5 May 2026 - 1:37AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump might ask his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to “twist some arms” in Tehran, according to one US analyst. Photo: AP

South Korea

Seoul says ‘explosion and fire’ on South Korean ship in Hormuz strait

The vessel is a cargo ship of almost 180 metres (590 feet) sailing under the flag of Panama.

5 May 2026 - 4:37AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

4 May 2026 - 10:30PM

United States

Wall Street hesitates, oil prices rise amid uncertainty in Strait of Hormuz

Despite all the uncertainty about how long the war with Iran will last, the US stock market has managed to power to record after record.

4 May 2026 - 9:55PMvideocam

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: via AFP

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong residential property upturn drives recovery in office, retail sectors

Shop rents will ‘turn positive by year-end’ but likely post a 3 per cent decline for the entire year, Morgan Stanley says.

4 May 2026 - 6:07PM

US-China relations

China says to ignore US sanctions even as Trump visit nears

Beijing issued an unprecedented order to ignore US sanctions just ahead of presidential summit in Beijing.

4 May 2026 - 5:32PM

Singapore

Singapore, New Zealand ink world first deal to secure essential supplies

Both governments committed not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on crucial goods such as food, fuel and healthcare products.

4 May 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

A container ship docks at Singapore’s port on April 14. Photo: Xinhua

Gold in Hong Kong

Gold rush: Hong Kong bullion imports from Dubai jump amid US-Iran war

Gold traders from the Middle East and Russia have been selling physical gold in Hong Kong at a discount of 15 to 20 per cent since early April.

4 May 2026 - 7:55PM

Tourists admire gold jewellery at the Gold Souq in Dubai. Photo: Shutterstock

SCMP Highlights

Cheaper durians for China, Hong Kong helpers camp in tents: 5 weekend reads

From freight routes bypassing Hormuz to Hong Kong helpers in tents on days off, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

4 May 2026 - 12:34PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Glimmer of hope in Hormuz Strait, fragile ceasefire holds: what happened overnight

US President Donald Trump has offered some help to commercial shipping and competing plans for peace are said to be on the table.

4 May 2026 - 10:28AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Why CY Leung thinks Hong Kong needs to strengthen maritime-related sectors

Former city leader sits down for wide-ranging interview and calls for city to develop shipping insurance and management capabilities.

4 May 2026 - 8:30AM

The political heavyweight has said the city should adopt big-picture thinking when it comes to unpredictable global developments to minimise exposure to disruptions. Photo: Elson Li

Germany

German chancellor plays down row with Trump in fallout from US troop withdrawal

Friedrich Merz denies his criticism of the Iran war triggered Trump to announce drawdown of 5,000 soldiers.

4 May 2026 - 2:28PM

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 3. Photo: Reuters

Italy

Rubio to visit Rome, meet Pope Leo who has clashed with Trump

US secretary of state also seeks a meeting with Italy’s Meloni, whom Trump has also turned against.

4 May 2026 - 8:49PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

4 May 2026 - 1:17PMvideocam

US-China relations

The US sanctioned Chinese oil refineries. Now China is really pushing back

Beijing has wheeled out its ‘Blocking Rules’ for the first time, ordering non-compliance with the American action.

3 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Hengli Petrochemical in Dalian, Liaoning province, has been accused by the United States of links to the Iran oil trade. Photo: Reuters

China food security

China’s farmers face dual threats from El Nino and Iran war, analysts say

They warn that country’s fragmented farms are less resilient to natural disasters than bigger, more mechanised operations.

3 May 2026 - 8:00PM

China-Middle East relations

How 2 Iranian brothers in China use ancient music as a bridge through wartime

Amid deep geopolitical uncertainty, the Beijing workshop of Majid and Massoud Shamaeezadah preserves and shares Persian culture.

3 May 2026 - 7:23PMvideocam

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Are US Air Force C-17s flying cars into Beijing for Trump’s China trip?

American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on.

3 May 2026 - 6:00PM

Two US Air Force C-17 transport aircraft have been seen at Beijing Capital International Airport in the past few days. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

Letters | China’s stance on Iran war has strengthened its global position

Readers discuss how the world perceives China, and the work to be done to prevent rape.

3 May 2026 - 11:30AM

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands as they meet, in Beijing, China, on September 2, 2025. Photo: Iran’s Presidential website/West Asia News Agency/Reuters

Middle East

‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE lead a push for a new trade architecture with multiple nodes linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

3 May 2026 - 10:30AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says he’s reviewing new Iran proposal to end war

The president also has floated a new plan to reopen the Hormuz, after the US warned shipping firms against paying Iran for safe passage.

3 May 2026 - 7:09AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US carrier Spirit Airlines shuts down, industry’s first Iran war casualty

Jet fuel prices have doubled during the conflict, and a Trump-backed US$500 million bailout did not materialise.

3 May 2026 - 12:42AMvideocam

A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320 prepares to take off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida in January 2021. Photo: AP

My Take

My Take | World Cup football belongs to the fans, not to Trump and his friend at Fifa

Supporters in Hong Kong may be rubbing their hands at the prospect of seeing their favourite teams at Kai Tak Stadium, but those travelling to the global showpiece risk paying a much higher price.

2 May 2026 - 10:30PM

Shaun Wright-Phillips, Christian Vieri, Roberto Di Matteo and Edgar Davids (back row left to right) pose for pictures with little fans on stage during the press conference of Hong Kong Football Festival, on April 21, to be held in coming summer. Photo: Elson Li

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran will not accept ‘imposed’ peace, Trump not satisfied with negotiations

US lawmakers are pressuring the President to resolve the war, while Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is attempting to ease the war’s toll on Iran’s economy.

2 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

2026 Trump-Xi summit

China trip will go ahead as planned – and it will be amazing, Trump insists

US president says the visit will go ahead as planned later this month despite the ongoing stalemate in peace talks with Iran.

2 May 2026 - 9:10PMvideocam

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Iran

South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire

A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.

Filipino contestant’s viral swimsuit moment, UAE’s Opec exit: 7 Asia highlights

US’ Bessent urges China to help open Strait of Hormuz

Iran war could give Xi the upper hand in meeting with Trump: US experts

The conflict is likely to give Beijing an edge in discussions on hi-tech supply chains and Taiwan, analysts argue.

Seoul says ‘explosion and fire’ on South Korean ship in Hormuz strait

The vessel is a cargo ship of almost 180 metres (590 feet) sailing under the flag of Panama.

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

Wall Street hesitates, oil prices rise amid uncertainty in Strait of Hormuz

Despite all the uncertainty about how long the war with Iran will last, the US stock market has managed to power to record after record.

Hong Kong residential property upturn drives recovery in office, retail sectors

Shop rents will ‘turn positive by year-end’ but likely post a 3 per cent decline for the entire year, Morgan Stanley says.

China says to ignore US sanctions even as Trump visit nears

Beijing issued an unprecedented order to ignore US sanctions just ahead of presidential summit in Beijing.

Singapore, New Zealand ink world first deal to secure essential supplies

Both governments committed not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on crucial goods such as food, fuel and healthcare products.

Gold rush: Hong Kong bullion imports from Dubai jump amid US-Iran war

Gold traders from the Middle East and Russia have been selling physical gold in Hong Kong at a discount of 15 to 20 per cent since early April.

Cheaper durians for China, Hong Kong helpers camp in tents: 5 weekend reads

From freight routes bypassing Hormuz to Hong Kong helpers in tents on days off, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Glimmer of hope in Hormuz Strait, fragile ceasefire holds: what happened overnight

US President Donald Trump has offered some help to commercial shipping and competing plans for peace are said to be on the table.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Why CY Leung thinks Hong Kong needs to strengthen maritime-related sectors

Former city leader sits down for wide-ranging interview and calls for city to develop shipping insurance and management capabilities.

German chancellor plays down row with Trump in fallout from US troop withdrawal

Friedrich Merz denies his criticism of the Iran war triggered Trump to announce drawdown of 5,000 soldiers.

Rubio to visit Rome, meet Pope Leo who has clashed with Trump

US secretary of state also seeks a meeting with Italy’s Meloni, whom Trump has also turned against.

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

The US sanctioned Chinese oil refineries. Now China is really pushing back

Beijing has wheeled out its ‘Blocking Rules’ for the first time, ordering non-compliance with the American action.

China’s farmers face dual threats from El Nino and Iran war, analysts say

They warn that country’s fragmented farms are less resilient to natural disasters than bigger, more mechanised operations.

How 2 Iranian brothers in China use ancient music as a bridge through wartime

Amid deep geopolitical uncertainty, the Beijing workshop of Majid and Massoud Shamaeezadah preserves and shares Persian culture.

Are US Air Force C-17s flying cars into Beijing for Trump’s China trip?

American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on.

Letters | China’s stance on Iran war has strengthened its global position

Readers discuss how the world perceives China, and the work to be done to prevent rape.

‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE lead a push for a new trade architecture with multiple nodes linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Trump says he’s reviewing new Iran proposal to end war

The president also has floated a new plan to reopen the Hormuz, after the US warned shipping firms against paying Iran for safe passage.

US carrier Spirit Airlines shuts down, industry’s first Iran war casualty

Jet fuel prices have doubled during the conflict, and a Trump-backed US$500 million bailout did not materialise.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | World Cup football belongs to the fans, not to Trump and his friend at Fifa

Supporters in Hong Kong may be rubbing their hands at the prospect of seeing their favourite teams at Kai Tak Stadium, but those travelling to the global showpiece risk paying a much higher price.

Iran will not accept ‘imposed’ peace, Trump not satisfied with negotiations

US lawmakers are pressuring the President to resolve the war, while Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is attempting to ease the war’s toll on Iran’s economy.

China trip will go ahead as planned – and it will be amazing, Trump insists

US president says the visit will go ahead as planned later this month despite the ongoing stalemate in peace talks with Iran.

Exclusive | Why CY Leung thinks Hong Kong needs to strengthen maritime-related sectors

My Take | World Cup football belongs to the fans, not to Trump and his friend at Fifa